Pilgrimage at the Symposium – Day #2 – Father Mavrič asks who is willing to dirty their hands on behalf of the poor.
After having registered, the participants gathered together for the opening prayer service on Thursday evening, an event that was organized by the International Association of the Miraculous Medal and at which the participants placed all their activity under the protection of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. This event marked the official opening of the Vincentian Symposium which commemorates the 400th anniversary of the origin of the Vincentian charism.
Today, October 13th, the participants (according to language) traveled to various locations. The Italian, English and Spanish participants, the more numerous groups, gathered at the Palacavicchi Complex; the French-speaking participants gathered at the parish of Gregory VII; the Polish-speaking delegation met at the Maria Immacolata House; the Portuguese speaking group met at the Leonine. Today’s activities were divided into three different parts. The first part consisted of three conferences and a dialogue after each conference. The following themes were developed during that time: Vincentian Spirituality and its Prophetic Challenge, Vincentian Formation and Communication in the Information Age and Formation Ministries: for here to where? Each of these presentations was developed by an individual from each specific language group.
The second part was a gathering of young laymen and women and consecrated young men and women from every language group. This was a very festive gathering and the presenters were Matteo Amicucci and Vanessa Coppola … the theme for reflection was: Go and do likewise (Luke 10:37) and it is hoped that that will create even greater enthusiasm in these young men and women. The encounter with consecrated young men and women was led by the Superior General, Father Tomaž Mavrič, CM who animated the participants to live their vocation with courage. Father’s presentation was followed by the celebration of the Eucharist.
The third part began at 19:00 hours, the Festival of Youth … a session that was animated by the musical group, Parents and Sons (a group composed of members of the Vincentian Family who composed the song, Yo vivire [I will live] on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the origin of the charism). Prior to the musical presentation, there was a presentation of the theme: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25,40). At 21:00 the young men and women from Italy spoke about the origins of the Vincentian charism and present-day reality. Father Mavrič concluded this session by challenging the young men and women with the following question: who is willing to dirty their hands on behalf of the poor?
